Theatre / Theatre In Education
New Bristol theatre project to improve children’s speaking and listening skills
Over its 40-year history, Barton Hill-based children’s theatre company Travelling Light has always placed the rights of the child at the core of their mission.
Through a number of shows, school and community projects as well as its youth theatre programme, they aim to widen access to creative opportunities for those who might not otherwise be able to experience them.
Launching in October with funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, they have announced Light up Language, a new project that sets out to improve children’s speaking and listening skills.
The endeavour comes in the wake of new evidence that points to a skills deficit at local and national level, worsened by the impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns, when many school buildings were closed and learning moved online.
The initial phase of the project will be delivered in conjunction with Hannah More and Brunel Field Primary Schools, as well as Easton Community Children’s Centre, Cashmore Early Years Centre and Little Hayes and Speedwell Nursery Schools.
Travelling Light deliver a Light Up School Learning workshop – photo: Camilla Adams
“There is a lot of evidence at national level that children are struggling with increased social, emotional and communication difficulties, and this is echoed by our local schools and nurseries,” says Travelling Light artistic director, Lizzy Stephens.
“They tell us that post-Covid, there are significant gaps in learning for children who experience socioeconomic disadvantage, and that this is impacting speech and listening skills as well as children’s ability to regulate and understand their emotions.”
A Travelling Light workshop at Little Hayes Nursery – photo: Ed Felton
Light up Language expands on the success of Light Up School Learning, a foundational project from Travelling Light in 2021-2023 that was judged by an independent evaluation to have positively impacted children’s progress, as well as their oral skills and overall confidence.
Little Hayes Nursery took part in the pilot project earlier in 2024, called Little Lights. Jet Davis is headteacher at the setting. “It was inspirational for both children and staff,” she recalls, “really allowing the children to explore their own stories in a way that was engaging, involving and a lot of fun.”
Light Up Language launches in October 2024, funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. For more information about Travelling Light, visit www.travellinglighttheatre.org.uk, or follow @tl_theatre.
Main photo: Ed Felton
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